Anatomy of a Book Cover: Vol. 1

Let’s be real: we all know that a gorgeous cover can compel you to read almost anything. And for me, there are certain elements that will always entice me to pick up a book. Anatomy of a Book Cover breaks down those elements!

I recently read THE SISTERS MEDEROS, a delightfully fun fantasy of manners featuring two sisters who couldn’t be more different. This cover is pure Danya bait, and I was hooked before I even read the synopsis. Keep an eye out for my review of this one, coming soon!

UNDEAD GIRL GANG first came onto my radar when I saw people chatting about it on twitter, long before the cover art had been released. I was intrigued…and its funky, nostalgic cover art immediately won a place on my “favourite covers” shelf!

Emily Skrutskie is an auto-buy author for me, so I knew I’d be reading HULLMETAL GIRLS before I even saw the cover art. When I finally laid my eyes on this beauty…well. I’ve got a major case of grabby hands!

What do you think of the covers I’ve rounded up here? Do you have any cover art elements that always catch your eye when you’re browsing? Let me know in the comments!

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44 thoughts on “Anatomy of a Book Cover: Vol. 1”

I 100% feel you on the mech suits. Personally, I love minimalist covers with great typography and more of a “flat” look (i.e. so no digital 3D effects or photography) . Buuuuut writing that out makes me sound super pretentious now that I read it hahahahaha.

The covers you picked all belong to genres I don’t read that often, so they don’t appeal to me the way they do to you. However I love what you have done with this post, it makes me look at covers in a different way.

I like covers that give me a good idea of the mood of a story, be it dramatic, light-hearted, hilarious, cozy or whatever. Covers that don’t have anything to do with the story annoy me.

I love the idea for this! And the graphics you made lol. I definitely have certain styles of covers I’m drawn to, as is usually illustrated when I do my cover characteristics post, but idk if I have specific elements that draw me in. But I agree these are some great covers! I like the colors on the last one too.

Hooray, thanks so much Kristen! I’ve been trying to level up my photoshop skills, haha. There are certain vibes that always pull me in, like a cool colour palette and great typography. Fun visuals are just an extra!

The old recommendation about not judging a book by its cover might be useful sometimes, when a cover not suited to the story it represents does a poor job of attracting a reader, but with these examples, especially the first one in your post, there is no doubt that the stories will be amazing…

We’re clearly of one mind on beautiful covers, Maddalena! I’ll forgive an unattractive cover, but a well turned-out one will always catch my eye. I’m like a magpie when it comes to pretty covers — I need those books!

I love this post! Covers are the best, obviously the thing that hooks you (or not) and I love finding amazing covers! I love all these examples, and I’ve never heard of Undead Girl Gang, so thanks for bringing it to my attention:-)

Hooray, I’m so pleased! I feel the same way: I get so giddy when I see a cover that screams a “me” sort of story. Oh, you’re welcome! That one sounds really good and I’m eager to get my hands on it soon.

Thanks so much, Sam! I had a ton of fun pulling these covers apart, too. HA, I’m definitely a cover ho as well. I can forgive a bad cover, but a good cover will always sell me on at least giving a story a try.

Eeeeee yay, I’m so pleased! I had such a good time making this post, which is saying something because my photoshop skills leave a lot to be desired haha. Yes ma’am, more of these posts straight away! 😄

Good point, the overall vibe of a cover is important too. A clever or funny cover like Undead Girl Gang is always a win with me, and I like covers with badass women on them too…which fits for covers 1 and 3 in this post!

This made me smile so much — sly expressions indeed! A woman on a cover in an unconventional way is something that will always make me stop. I like Undead Gang, because honestly, I’ve never seen a cover like that. Ever.

You’re comment made me smile so much! I’m so pleased you like the post, Verushka. I agree, an unconventional woman on a cover will always catch my eye. Isn’t it awesome? That cover makes me so intrigued as to what’s inside Undead Girl Gang!

I personally don’t care for the second and third ones, but the first one is great! I like the magical cloud and sly expressions. 😀 Paranormal/urban fantasy novels tend to have similar covers and I’m not complaining!

The first cover, for The Sisters Mederos, is my favourite one too! The colour, magical elements, and badass ladies are all pluses for me. I agree: most UF covers are similar and I am not mad at it, haha.

I wish I knew what drew me in to certain covers but I just don’t know. I think the second one is awesome, I like nostalgic 90s style covers because they look so cool. And the first one looks interesting, I think it’s the look on the faces that intrigues me. I would definitely check that out. The third one works less so, I can’t figure it out but something isn’t drawing me in.

90s-style book covers 4ever! And 90s-style anything, really. The cover for The Sisters Mederos sucked me in immediately, it just has so many good things going for it! Hmmm good point, it can be really tricky to put your finger on why a certain cover doesn’t work for you.

Oh this is SO clever, I adore it! Seriously, when do fancy ball gowns *not* equal a win? And I love the colors in Hullmetal Girls too. The second one looks very fun! I hope you do lots more of these posts, I am a fan!!

Ahhhhh, thanks so much Shannon! Fancy ball gowns may be somewhat overdone but I still love ’em to bits. I had so much fun putting this post together (minus all my cursing at photoshop lol). I’ll definitely continue making these!

I’m totally up for amazing book covers… And yes, I admit to being totally swayed by a cover alone.. And I’ve seen the review for this Sisters Mederos at the top of your blog and was already intrigued n the cover alone!!!!!!!!!!! Ha ha. My kind of bait too!

Cover lovers, party of two! Haha. A cover that hits all the right notes will sometimes convince me to read a book even if I haven’t looked at the synopsis yet. I’ll admit it, I can be a shallow reader sometimes! 🤣

I’m not sure what it is about YA book covers, but they always seem to be more eye-catching than Adult book covers. In my opinion, anyway. I’m not sure what exactly it is, but just…something. I’m always drawn to YA books over Adult books, even if I’m in the mood to read an Adult book – those dang beautiful covers get me every time!

I agree, YA really does seem to have the edge on adult publishing when it comes to cover art — at least most of the time. Maybe it’s because they have larger budgets? I’m not sure. From one cover lover to another, I totally hear you!

I too can absolutely be swayed by an awesome cover. I hadn’t thought about there being particular elements that draw me in though. I see you like tough, and maybe a little unconventional, women on your covers. I’m down with that. 😉 I’m sure the title affects me as well as the font used. And there are certainly some things that turn me off – I like more realistic looking images than “cartoonish” ones. And there are elements that are getting a little old…like half naked people. *gasp* I know! I’ll have to give it more thought. I appreciate you sharing the cover elements that draw you in, Danya!

Yes, a badass and unconventional woman will always catch my attention! Titles are important too, I totally blanked on that in this post. Artistic styles are definitely key, as well. I do tend to prefer covers that use photography rather than illustrations, but that’s not always the case.

LOL! But Brandee, how would we ever get any romance reading done without all those half-naked people on the covers? 😂 I agree though, sometimes less is not actually more when it comes to the cover models in romance publishing!